title: Three-dimensional sonographic visualization of the fetal face.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was done to show the potential of using three dimensional (3D) sonography to reveal fetal facial anomalies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-four healthy fetuses from 15 to 40 weeks' gestation were studied with a specially developed 3.5-MHz abdominal 3D transducer. This imaging system provided conventional two-dimensional (2D) sonographic images and also generated within seconds high-quality 3D images in the surface and transparent modes with no need for an external workstation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using this imaging system, we obtained 2D and 3D images of fetal faces (forehead, eyes, nose, lips, and chin) at six gestational ages. At less than 24 weeks' gestation, 65% of facial structures were visualized. The image quality was slightly degraded because of the small fetal size. At or after 24 weeks' gestation, 84% of facial structures were revealed. We found no significant difference in image quality of the fetal face between 2D and 3D sonography.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The new 3D sonographic technology can generate within seconds high-quality 3D images of the fetal face. The 3D technology seems to perform at least as well as conventional 2D sonography. Our results suggest that 3D sonography has the potential to supplement 2D sonography and might be useful in identifying malformations of the fetal face and chromosomal abnormalities in utero.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shimane Medical University, Izumo, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hata
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yonehara
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aoki
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manabe
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hata
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miyazaki
mesh_terms: D005145:Face / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000196:embryology; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000196:embryology; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D011247:Pregnancy; D012016:Reference Values; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*